Breaking Down the Biggest Races of the 2020 Olympic Games: Days 1-3

In the SwimSwam Podcast dive deeper into the sport you love with insider conversations about swimming. Hosted by Coleman HodgesGarrett McCaffrey, and Gold Medal Mel Stewart, SwimSwam welcomes both the biggest names in swimming that you already know, and rising stars that you need to get to know, as we break down the past, present, and future of aquatic sports.

We sat down with SwimSwam Co-founders Braden Keith and Mel Stewart to bring you a comprehensive preview of the biggest races to watch in the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games. In the first 3 days of competition, we’ll see barn-burners like the women’s 400 free, men’s 100 back, women’s 100 back, and both 4×100 free relays, where the Australian women and USA men looked prime to defend their 2016 titles.

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Music: Otis McDonald
www.otismacmusic.com

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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

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Jackman
2 years ago

Curious about the ‘distractions’ discussed at US training camp. From social media posts I didn’t really see any evidence of people acting like they were on vacation. Any specific examples?

Texas Tap Water
Reply to  Jackman
2 years ago

As a ready made excuses to any potential underperformance.

Sub13
2 years ago

The fact that people are legitimately saying that the Aussie pool must not be full length is hilarious. Wow people will just jump on anything won’t they?

Robbos
Reply to  Sub13
2 years ago

I did laugh how Braden sort of dismissed it though.

Admin
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

In 2021, it’s hard to tell what nonsense people actually believe to be true and what they’re trying to be funny about.

The truth has become so warped…

Sam B
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

the truth has always been the truth, by definition. People’s view of lies as truth is what’s warped.

Awsi Dooger
Reply to  Sam B
2 years ago

Great summary. Lies confused as truth is now as numerous as distance swimmer meters

Robbos
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

I agree, BTW, love your analysis on the swims in the video, understand you are American & would like Americans to win, I thought you were fair & just in your analysis.
Like I have said a few times, based on recent form, there is no way anyone is betting on Ledecky over Titmus in the 400 free, except for the fact it’s LEDECKY, never underestimate a true champion.

Armchair
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

Which suggests that some if not many people WOULD bet on her!

Admin
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

The only way anyone is betting on Ledecky is if Ledecky winning pays out 3x the wage of Titmus for winning…which is what Australian sportsbooks are currently showing.

On even odds, I’m going Titmus. At those odds? I’m going Ledecky all day.

RE: “wanting Americans to win,” when you sit on this side of the table, and have to watch everything from behind the curtain, you quickly lose your national allegiances in the sport you cover. Would I love USA basketball to win gold? For sure. My feelings are much less strong about swimming – because I spend time writing about, reading about, and talking with swimmers, athletes, coaches, and fans from all over the world. I would much, much… Read more »

Robbos
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

OK betting not the right word to use, BTW my bookie here in Australia only X 2 Ledecky winning.More as a swimming pundit.

But yeah enjoyed your analysis today, thanks. My point.

Torchbearer
Reply to  Sub13
2 years ago

I swim at that pool….feels full length to me! 🙂

Myshkin
2 years ago

loved this.. thanks

Tomek
2 years ago

I like Coleman’s pick of Regan Smith getting gold I’m 100 back

Eouai
2 years ago

What are the best non-NBC options to view the Olympics for US audience? Willing to pay for coverage and VPN.

swimapologist
Reply to  Eouai
2 years ago

I don’t have the answer, but I’m just here to find out if this question is 100% about “getting access to someone’s call besides Rowdy.”

Eouai
Reply to  swimapologist
2 years ago

Not at all. Rowdy is not the best but I’m honestly sick of swim swam non stop crying about Rowdy.

Mostly looking for full coverage of the races. Don’t wanna see only the first 200 and last 200 of Ledeckys 1500 😲

Armchair
Reply to  Eouai
2 years ago

Well, NBC might have to cut away to cover BMX bike racing!

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  Armchair
2 years ago

Not to mention a jillion defying gravity ads with Simone Biles.

Beth S.
Reply to  Eouai
2 years ago

Agree 100%….need to show the rest of the field in the 1500!!

CanSwimFan
Reply to  Eouai
2 years ago

I suggest Canada’s CBC Sports. Livestream and extensive TV coverage of all sports. Watch full races and hear commentary that talks about athletes from different countries. Here’s a link to the CBC Tokyo 2020 page:
https://www.cbc.ca/sports/olympics/summer

Troyy
Reply to  Eouai
2 years ago

Whoever has Nicole Livingstone and it’s not Australia.

Torchbearer
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

Doesnt she do the generic ‘host’ broadcast…the one sent out to all the countries with no dedicated swimming commentatrs? Ironic if this is the case, and the non-swim nations get the best commentator!

Troyy
Reply to  Torchbearer
2 years ago

I think that’s likely. I wonder how we can access it? I have a VPN ready to go.

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  Torchbearer
2 years ago

Nicole & Bruce McEvany are the legendary announcing team for the FINA feeds. First heard them for 2007 Worlds, it was amazing. So it’s a question of who is streaming those feeds directly.

Coach Mike 1952
Reply to  Eouai
2 years ago

I have been watching Worlds, etc. using a VPN. Whenever & wherever you can get Nicole Livingstone & Bruce McEvany, do it. They are the best. If watching CBC, Brittany McLean is also good in the booth. Brit Swimming has great announcers too, very knowledgeable, well spoken, respectful of all the athletes, just uncertain if they will have any duties that override the FINA feed with Nicole & Bruce. See the Giaan Rooney article – she is fantastic as well, yet people in the comments want Nicole regardless. https://swimswam.com/giaan-rooney-hands-over-australian-olympic-commentating-duties-to-leisel-jones/

CanSwimFan
Reply to  Coach Mike 1952
2 years ago

Canada’s Byron MacDonald is doing swim coverage for CBC. Excellent commentator/analyst. He knows the sports: former UMich swimmer, an Olympian, long-time University of Toronto coach (coached Kylie Masse), and head coach of the ISL’s Toronto Titans.

Michael Andrew vs. Covid
Reply to  Eouai
2 years ago

Canada CBC. Use VPN to Canada

Daaaave
2 years ago

Braden is Spock
Mel is Kirk
Coleman is Bones

prove me wrong

Sam B
2 years ago

I cannot (CANNOT) believe the length and substance of Braden’s monologue about Katie losing to Ariane.

Canuswim
Reply to  Sam B
2 years ago

Do you prefer a US bias twist? Or real comments take them or leave them? Neutral to both US/AUS, I enjoyed this podcast, it was real, factual and exposed many factors that may or may not end up having an significant impact on all results. Exciting!

Robbos
Reply to  Sam B
2 years ago

He was right though!!!!

Sam B
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

I think there are two types of Olympic swimmers: superhumans and great swimmers. On some days great swimmers can beat superhumans. But I would still put my money on Katie

Robbos
Reply to  Sam B
2 years ago

While I 100% agree Ledecky is a superhuman, I tend to think after Tokyo, people are going to say the same of Titmus.

Steallos
Reply to  Robbos
2 years ago

Nope.

commonwombat
Reply to  Sam B
2 years ago

The sad reality is that no one remains “superhuman” forever … unless they judiciously get out whilst still on top which many never quite manage.

In cases where they are multi-event champions, its inevitable that their dominance or their scope will contract to their absolute core strengths.

Jamie5678
Reply to  Sam B
2 years ago

If you’re relying on the argument that a swimmer is ‘superhuman’ then, it kind of betrays the fact that you’re aware that the actual empirical evidence is pointing in the opposite direction.

It’s a romantic notion that Ledecky might be able to turn back the clock and that as Gold Medal Mel says she can somehow summon a 3.55 (and even that might not be quite enough).

I’m not American or Australian and so am pretty much unaffiliated. I’m a romantic too and I’d love to see Ledecky go 3.55. Of course, there’s always a chance that it could happen – but part of the romance and appeal of this idea is that the actual evidence suggests it won’t.

123456
Reply to  Sam B
2 years ago

If Ledecky wants to beat Titmus in the 400 at the Olympics, it’s now or never. I don’t care how great of a swimmer ledecky is, she will no longer be at the peak of her career in 2024

Olav
2 years ago

I think the US is gonna win the men’s 4×100 free relay
Caeleb Dressel: 46 high/47 low
Townley Haas: 47 mid
Blake Pieroni: 47 mid
Zach Apple: 46.5 – 46.8/9

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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